Print

Balsamic Chicken Marinade Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 9 reviews

This Balsamic Chicken Marinade recipe offers a simple and flavorful way to infuse chicken with a delightful blend of balsamic vinegar, fresh rosemary, and Dijon mustard. Perfect for enhancing grilled or pan-cooked chicken, this marinade tenderizes the meat and imparts a tangy, savory taste. Quick to prepare and easy to use, it's ideal for a tasty weeknight dinner or weekend BBQ.

Ingredients

Marinade Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Protein

  • 4 chicken breasts or thighs (approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped fresh rosemary, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is fully emulsified and smooth.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the bowl with the marinade. Gently toss to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the flavorful mixture.
  3. Let it Rest: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Allow the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or alternatively, refrigerate covered for up to 5 hours to deepen the flavor and tenderize the meat.

Notes

  • You can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes, but for best flavor, marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 5 hours.
  • Use this marinade with chicken breasts, thighs, or drumsticks for versatile cooking options.
  • After marinating, cook the chicken by grilling, pan-searing, or baking according to your preference.
  • Discard any leftover marinade that has come into contact with raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Fresh rosemary can be substituted with dried rosemary at half the amount if fresh is unavailable.